If you are planning to undergo a tummy tuck, it would be a good idea to go for a general checkup to determine to overall health. You would be at an increased risk of complications if you have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, liver disease. Go through your medical history and consult with your family doctor to see if you can undergo a major surgical procedure.
Your bodyweight should in and around 30% of your ideal bodyweight to get the most out of a tummy tuck. Your weight should also be quite stable within the period of 6 months before your tummy tuck. If you are on a weight loss program or plan to take one up, then you should complete the weight loss program first. Upon completion of your weight loss program, wait a while for your body weight to stabilize before undergoing a tummy tuck.
If you plan to have children, then you should go for a tummy tuck only after completing you family planning. The reason is because pregnancy will stretch your abdomen and this could undo your tummy tuck procedure as a tummy tuck aims to tighten the abdomen.
It will also help a lot if you start gathering some information about surgery. A tummy tuck is considered a major surgery so you should be well prepared to know what you are getting yourself into. This information gathering exercise will help calm your emotions and help you understand the risks involved in undergoing major surgery.
Since a tummy tuck involves surgery, you would probably want to make sure that it is the last resort of your weight loss efforts. The main reason being the lengthy recovery period after a tummy tuck. It will take you up to a year before you can fully enjoy the benefits of a successful tummy tuck.
You may be a candidate for a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) if you have loose or sagging abdominal wall skin that is frequently associated with abnormal relaxation of the anterior abdominal wall muscles (often secondary to multiple pregnancies or prior surgery). You may also desire a tummy tuck if you are unable to tighten your abdominal wall skin with exercise.
An abdominoplasty is intended to give the patient a smoother, flatter abdomen.
Abdominoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia either within the hospital or in an outpatient setting. (Mini-abdominoplasties can be performed under sedation and local anesthesia.)
Mini-abdominoplasty tightens the lower abdominal wall skin only (shortest scar). Standard abdominoplasty tightens all of the abdominal wall skin (standard scar). Extended abdominoplasty tightens the abdomen and the flanks or sides (longest scar extending around the flanks onto lower back.)
Abdominoplasty is one of the more uncomfortable plastic surgery procedures. One to three days of hospitalization or skilled nursing care is usually indicated. Light activity is comfortable in 10-20 days. Sports will not be comfortable for about 6 weeks.
Additional procedures that may enhance the result of a tummy tuck are Liposuction, Breast Procedures, or a Thigh Lift.
Occasionally, if the abdominoplasty is being performed for medical reasons, the procedure may be partially covered by insurance. Usually, the patient is responsible for payment.
The specific risks and the suitability of abdominoplasty for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
Mini-Abdominoplasty, also known as a Mini-Tummy Tuck, is reserved for those who have only a limited amount of loose skin or stretch marks in the lower abdomen, or above the public bone. Also, Mini Tummy Tuck does not usually involve the tightening of abdominal muscles. Therefore, it is sometimes combined with Liposuction for patients with excessive fat, but limited looseness of the abdomen.
In most cases, women considering abdominoplasty should not be considering additional pregnancies, or they may have the need for a second procedure to re-tighten the belly. In many cases, a tummy tuck does help rid of stretch marks because it removes most of the "stretched out" skin below the navel.
During abdominoplasty, the plastic surgeon makes an incision that extends from hip to hip along the lower pubic area. A skilled plastic surgeon makes this incision so that the resulting scar is hidden under a bathing suit or by undergarments. The plastic surgeon then lifts the loose skin off of the abdominal wall, and tightens and repairs the loosened "rectus" muscles - the muscles that normally give the abdomen its strength - achieving the effect that an old-fashioned girdle would.
The umbilicus or "belly button" is disconnected from the abdomen, and reattached after the loose skin is removed. A skilled plastic surgeon not only tightens the abdominal wall, but also pulls up and tightens the thighs and the buttocks. Drains will be inserted into each side of your abdomen to remove excess fluid as it accumulates following surgery.
Both Arturo Ronzon & Dave Stringham are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.